Killing Motivation #10 - Expecting Blood from a Stone

So lets pretend you are on a high profile (and as you are led to believe ) important project. Lets also pretend that this project is on a specific piece of hardware. The hardware is important because it is all powerful. The goal (also lets pretend) is to take existing software and make it work on the fast hardware making the combination of machine and software a delight to the customer.

Did I say the project was important? Let me reiterate. Its important.

But since its on a specific piece of hardware, you would imagine, yes?, that you need that hardware to build on or at the very least, test your delightful software on. No?

So how would you demotivate your team on this important project? Its simple if you follow these  important steps:

1. Only supply one platform what at least two is needed. That way the people on the project are fighting for time/space/sanity.

2. That one box must show up late. So late in fact that the entire team must, absolutely must, spend evenings and weekend to meet a deadline for a beta demo. This overtime would otherwise have been avoided if the specific hardware it required showed up on time.

3. Make additional absurd demands. Late breaking bug shows up in the middle of the night on Sunday. Then expect that bug to be fixed by Monday morning from a team that already worked the weekend to get basic functionality working for a beta candidate which was delayed by 1, and 2 above.

4. Blame the team. Ensure you blame the people on the  team loudly, publicly, and abusively if that issue in 3 is not fixed on Monday morning. Do not consider that items 1 or 2 had anything  to do with beta release time or quality. Ignore the fact that they have been working weekends and evenings because of 1 and 2.

The absurdity of this combination of steps are guaranteed to demotivate your staff.

How you run your business as a warning to others...

Could it be that how you run your business is really a warning to others?

Question: How can you take a $300 piece of third party software, and make it cost thousands?

Answer: Have lawyers quibble over the EULA for days.

Consider the fact that I have used this software for years within the company with no issue. This year happens to be the year of stupid. Or at least more stupid.

They will have to lay off a few more competent westerners to accommodate this  extra legal cost.

Killing Motivation #9: Constant Unneccesary Internal Roadblocks

So it finally happened. I know it had to happen eventually. It was only a matter of time.

What I am referring to is the license blockade.

Do you have a tool that is fundamental to your job? This tool helps you be successful? This tool helps you make a strong and successful product?

Someone, somewhere, eventually will get wind of this success and try to stop you.

Today it was someone from a part of the world known for resume falsification, certification falsification, and generally getting other smarter people to write your exams, telling me that I cannot renew my license because of x, y, or z.

Ignore x, or y, or z, its legal crap. The real reason is that they are attempting to stop your success, motivation, and happiness. Insert relevant Dilbert cartoon here. Motivation and happiness does not equate to shareholder value.

Ignore the fact that I have been using this tool for years. Had it renewed many times.

So, what happens now. Will this be the last straw for me?